Having a generator on hand for camping or caravanning is one of those things that, once you have it, you wonder how you ever lived without one. As with so many accessories these days though, the aftermarket has been flooded with cheap, sometimes dodgy, other times downright dangerous, gennies that you wouldn’t trust to charge up your phone let alone run your entire campsite.
You can forget about those generators of yesteryear, with their “jumbo jet coming into land 30 feet away” noise levels and fuel consumption on par with a top-fuel dragster too. Modern units make less noise than a mozzie letting one rip and are more efficient than buying a heap of Apple shares in the early 1980s.
Which begs the question: How do you choose a generator that’s right for you?
We’re glad you asked. Using the latest range of Yamaha Generators as a case study, we have put together a short list of things to look out for to ensure the generator you buy is going to be the right one for your needs.
New-school Tech, is it a good thing?
Put simply, yes, unequivocally. Ye Olde Timey gennies used the rough equivalent of an old carby-fed lawnmower motor to spin up an alternator to develop a set amount of (usually 240V AC) electrical output. The Yamaha EF-series of generators use inverter technology which has a list of advantages longer than a Harlem Globetrotter’s arm. Lighter (so portable), cleaner, way more efficient, heaps quieter, pure sine wave capability (a fancy way of saying it can charge sensitive gadgets like laptops and phones without munting them), more reliable. The list really does go on for quite a while – but yeah, inverter technology vs the old way is like asking your surgeon to break out the bone saw, opium tincture and leeches rather than use the latest in keyhole techniques and god-level painkillers. It’s just silly.
Keeping it on the down-low
Remember the scene in everyone’s favourite movie, Dumb and Dumber, when Jim Carrey asks his mate if he wants to hear the most annoying sound in the world and then essentially shrieks at him incessantly? That’s what everyone used to think of generator owners at campsites not so long ago.
Traditionally, they’re loud and annoying. Especially when you’re trying to enjoy the tranquil sounds of nature without being ear-bashed by an angry Briggs and Stratton for hours on end.
These days, however, Yamaha has brought sound levels down to the level of an easy convo with a friend by using patented Noise Block tech, utilising sounds absorption materials, intake muffling, fibreglass insulation as well as noise suppression and fan systems that run quieter than a ninja mouse.
Yamaha says their gennies run around the 57-65dBA mark at full load (7m). For reference, a chat with a mate is about 60dB, a whisper is 30dB and that neighbour who just got a two-stroke pit bike for Christmas runs at around 400,000dB (estimated).
The point is: the Yamaha generators are super quiet, so you can run them when needed without causing a stink at the campground, which is extremely nice for everyone.
Ease of use
Some generators require double degrees in advanced engineering and bio-mechanics, as well as a working knowledge of the control panel on the Starship Enterprise to operate functionally.
Not so with the Yamaha.
If you have ever owned a Yamaha product – from an outboard to a motorbike – you know how easy they are to start, and the generators from the blue-crew are no different. Flip the dial to ‘run’, pull out the choke, give the pull-start a stern talking to and you’re up and running. It’s that easy.
A simple-to-read LED output indicator lets you know how much load you’re putting it under and there are 240V outlets as well as a cig-plug and a boost-mode button which increases engine revs and power output for approximately 60 seconds if you need a momentary boost.
It’s about as foolproof-to-use as it gets, basically.
As for portability, most of their generators will fit in caravan storage boxes and weigh in at around the 25kg* mark, so yeah, not a big deal to bring along for the trip.
*25kg for EF2200iS model. Yamaha ranges from 12.7kg – 91kg depending on the model.
What if I need more?
Yamaha have developed a nifty piece of gadgetry called Twin-Tech that allows you to link up two generators of the same size to double the output. Now, it’s probably not that often that you’ll need 4000W+ of power, but if you find yourself needing to provide charge for a space shuttle launch, animate your Frankenstein monster or jumpstart Adelaide after an outage, this feature will allow you to do so. It’ll also run a campground of several vehicles or vans for quite some time. You know, if that’s something that may be of use on your next big trip with a few mates.
How much power do I need?
Ah yes, the $64,000 question. There’s no easy answer for this one I’m afraid as it largely depends on your specific power requirements. The first step is to add up the current draw of all of your electronic gear and add in a 10% safety buffer and call it good. Alternatively, you could simply go with Yamaha’s recommendations, which will likely do just as well without you having to apply mathematics to your daily life (ew).
The EF2000iS is perfect for general camping and 4WDing and can run pretty much all of the gear on a camper trailer – including a TV or microwave. If you want to step things up, the EF2200iS has an extra 200W of oomph, and can run smaller air conditioning units. If you’re in a larger van or are running AC in the height of summer then you’re probably looking at the EF2400iS, which cranks out a hefty 2400W of power and is more than capable of running pretty much anything you care to point it at.
Keep in mind, if you’re looking to power more serious gear like a mobile-welder or an off-grid IronMan suit, then Yamaha can supply generators right up to 6.3kVA if you’re feeling sporty.
Why Yamaha?
Synonymous with capability and reliability, Yamaha has long been at the forefront of generator tech and have arguably the best name in the business. If you’re looking for a no-fuss, ultra-reliable gennie that will likely outlast your vehicle, your van and can be handed down to your grandkids’ grandkids, then look no further. The fact Yamaha backs their generators with a four-year warranty is proof of the fact they mean business.
Find out more about the Yamaha Generator range at: generatoryamaha.com.au
